19.8.13

uncle jonathon's shirt remix










Months ago Jonathon donated a couple of shirts to whatever use they may be needed - he was over them. They were very nice shirts. Victorinox in fact. Wonderful, wonderful soft slightly stretchy fabric. Incredible details. They begged to be used by someone but there were no takers. So I bundled them away in my fabric stash waiting for a minute and a little inspiration. The two elements combined a few weeks ago and I had more fun than you can possibly imagine making these things for my three favourite little girls. 

The pictures are a bit lacking because I wasn't thinking of sharing them on this platform - they were iPhone snaps to share with the man who donated the shirt. I figured he aught to know what he had contributed to. The decision to share the project here was motivated by the ease and fun of the project. All the hard work is done - the collars and plackets and shirt-tail hems - and the fun is in deciding how to best use those details. It just takes an hour or so for each dress and much less for the funny little pants. I wish I had thought to do a simple tutorial for the dresses but honestly they are so easy that these pictures are probably just about enough. The funny little pants are the left-over sleeves with a crotch-curve cut into the top and stitched together. I added a waistband/casing instead of simply turning the top down to make a casing just because I liked the change of direction for the stripes. The tie is strictly faux.

I had so much fun that I am now begging all the men I know to contribute the shirts they don't wear anymore to my sewing room atelier. I have all kinds of ideas for more 'grandy couture'.

7 comments:

ec said...

perfection. those pants are amazing! you have a talent, lucky grand babies...

Hannah said...

Very lucky :)

Anonymous said...

Those dresses and pants could not be cuter, nor could the three girls. I agree, they are very lucky to have you.

Roz

Anonymous said...

Our school has a parent/child project where we take pillow cases and turn them into dresses which are sent to some orphanage communities in Africa. This sounds like it could be a interesting sideline to that...especially the pants. Thanks for sharing this! I will let you know if it takes off. The pics are darling.

Joan Callahan ~ Chicago

Cheri said...

To ec, Hannah, and Roz - I am the lucky one!

Joan - that sounds like such a worthwhile project. It must be rewarding to be involved in it. I would be very interested to know/see how any upcycling of shirts might work for it.

Thanks all for your comments. I love them :)

Eden Lang said...

I love love love them! Aubs looks so sweet in her little dress you made her:) Thank you! xoxox

Jessica said...

these are SOOOO amazing! adorable and simply perfect!!! love it!